Public art, such as murals on the sides of buildings, not only spruces up communities but can improve our personal health and the well-being of our hometowns.
Studies have shown that enjoying art can boost your immune system and reduce stress. The positive emotions you feel when looking at a piece of art or a breathtaking nature scene can reduce the levels of certain pro-inflammatory proteins, researchers have found. That can protect you from chronic conditions such as heart disease and autoimmune diseases.
Public art improves public health and reduces stress.
Other studies have found that looking at works of art for about 40 minutes reduced cortisol levels, a good indicator of stress, by 32 percent. Yet another study determined that taking in art triggered a surge of dopamine—a pleasure chemical—in the same area of the brain that registers romantic love.
Building communities with access to museums, plays, music, and public displays of art provides a good foundation for everything from healthier lifestyles to safety. A 2017 University of Pennsylvania study of every neighborhood in New York City’s five boroughs found the presence of cultural resources, including public art, was associated with a decrease in obesity, cases of child abuse, and the crime rate, plus an increase in students’ scores at the top levels on English and math exams.
Public art promotes a better sense of community and gives residents a reason to be outside, interact, and be exposed to various cultures. Community mural projects that involve residents in their design and creation give them a vested interest in using and maintaining the space. Drawing young people to participate in the creation of public art usually draws their parents in as well. In the end, that one art project can lead to building a stronger, closer community with a core of residents willing to volunteer and help each other.
Art can make you laugh, cry, and dream. And, as science is proving, it can improve your health, weight, and relationships with your neighbors. Put a little public art in your life today.